Shoe last



Patented Nov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE SHOE LAST Joseph H. Stone, Brockton, Mass.

Application September 12, 1939, Serial No. 294,465

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a shoe last and has for one of Vits objects to provide a simple and efficient means for releasably retaining the heel and foreparts of the last in different positions. Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement which may be easily manipulated for breaking the last from the shoes after the shoes are formed thereon.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the junction between the two parts of the last i that a large part of the operating mechanism may be carried on the heel part and this part standardized so that different foreparts which may vary in the style orother variations may be assembled therewith.

Another object of the invention is to arrange a last which may have two sliding parts sufliciently securely held together so that no rocking or rattling of the operating mechanism of these parts will occur.

With these and other objects in View, the inthese parts in position, and the following is a more detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention, illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished:

The last consists of two main parts, the heel part I and the forepart II shown in Fig. 1 in extended working position and in Fig. 2 in collapsed position for removal from the shoe.

Each par-t consists essentially of a casting of aluminum of shell-like formation forming enclosing walls. In the heel part there is a rear wall I2 and an abutting face portion I3 in which there is located a T-shaped slot I4. This face I3 is otherwise imperforate and in a single plane. At

' the top of the last there is a wall portion I5 in vention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view throughout the last.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation broken away to be partly in section and illustrating the two parts of the last moved so as to shorten the length of the last for removal from the shoe.

Fig. 3 is a section on substantially line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view on substantially line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view on substantially line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 3--6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental View showing in section the portions shown in section in Fig. 2, but illustrating the modiiied form of the locking pin.

The last which is the subject of this invention is designed primarily to be formed of metal with certain parts inserted for receiving nails or tacks for the placing of leather portions of the shoe in position. After the formation of the shoe about the last the last must be collapsed in some Way in order to facilitate its removal. This is accomplished by forming the last in more than one part so that by relative movement the parts will shorten the length oi the last and the shoe may be broken therefrom. This last is of that character and has an exceedingly simple construction for the providing of the relative movement of the parts of the last and the release and locking of which there is a well I6, bushed as at I'I for the reception of the rod upon which the last is mounted. A suitable top I8 of any desired construction with a cushioning gasket I9 may be held in position on this top wall by bolts 20. This top wall has an opening 2I extending into the hollow interior. The heel part of the last also has a recess 35 at the tip of its heel for the reception of a wooden filler 36 which may receive nails or tacks for holding the shoe parts in assembled relation on the last.

The forepart of the last consists of a top wall 31 with an open bottom which is closed by a wooden wall 38. There is also provided an abutting wall 39 which provides a face 40 in substantially a single plane to engage the face I3 of the heel portion. There is assembled on to this forepart a tongue member 4I of a shape to correspond to the shape of the groove I4 on the heel part and which in this instance is of a T-shape to slidingly t the T-shaped groove I4 of the heel part of the last. This tongue 4I is secured to the forepart by bolts 42 entering the wall 49, and is provided with openings or recesses 43 and 44 which are of a size to receive the locking pin 21 and are of a depth so that the pin will bottom in the recess and be held snugly thereagainst by the spring 3l. In some instances the recess will be tapered as at 45 and the pin tapered as at 46 so as to engage the side walls of the recess snugly in which case it will not bottom in the recess. A pin 21 is located in a bore 29 extending inwardly from the groove I4 and is reduced in diameter so as to provide a shoulder 39 to be engaged by spring 3I which also engages the end of the bore for forcing the pin outwardly of the bore and into recess 43 or 44. A lever 23 pivoted in the hollow heel portion as at 24 has a handle 22 extending into a position to be engaged through opening 2l and has a forked end with a slot 25 for engaging the neck 26 of a pin 21 beneath the head 28.`

The groove I4 and the tongue 4I extend completely across the faces l 3 and 4i) of the heel and foreparts of the last so that the parts of the last may be assembled or separated by sliding them in either direction. The locking pin is normally pressed so that as the parts are slid one in relation to the other, the pin will drop into the recess When it registers therewith. rlhe recess 44 will be engaged to lock the parts in position shown in Fig. 1, while the recess 43 will be engaged to lock parts in position shown in Fig. 2. For withdrawing the pin it is merely necessary to engage the handle 22 of the lever which engages locking pin, this lever protruding from the last in the cone portion thereof where it has ready access.

It Will of course be apparent that I may use various materials in making the foreparts of the last, for instance wooden foreparts may be utilized. I will, however, provide the tongue in all instances of metal, and as this is a metal part for the reception of the locking pin, no bushing need be provided in recesses such as 53 or "i4 to strengthen the same against wear.

Further, it will be apparent that by utilization of the tongue extending vthe full length of the abutting face of the forepart and heel part an increased length of bearing is provided which is exceedingly advantageous, maintaining strength and rigidity of the last when in assembled position.

The foregoing description is directed solely to- Wards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible.

I claim:

1. In a shoe last a forepart and a heel part, said parts being slidably related along abutting faces extending completely across the last in a single plane at an angle to the general length of the last to change the length of the last upon relative movement, a tongue and groove connection between said parts, a recess in said tongue and a pin projectable through said groove into said recess to llock said parts against relative movement and a handle member pivoted in said heel part and projectable through the top of said last and extending generally parallel to said abutting faces and movable about said pivot to operate said pin.

2. In a shoe last a forepart and a heel part, said parts being slidably related along angular faces extending completely across the last in a single plane to change the length of the last upon relative movement, said heel part being provided with a groove and a separate tongue on said forel' part to t said groove and provided with spaced recesses, and a pin operable in said groove to enter the selected recess upon coming into registry therewith, and a spring urging said pin into the registering recess and a pivoted handle on the heel part for withdrawing said pin against the action of said spring.

JOSEPH H. STONE. 

